TAFL!

(prints are very rough to verify basic concept of feasibility on such a small scale. Needs overhaul)

3D printed variant of medieval game tafl.

King's guard against overwhelming force, tasked with getting the king into safety.

Can You prevail?

Travel sized mini kit

Figures are taken from medieval Lewis set.

https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:20528/files

Game rules:

http://aagenielsen.dk/historical_hnefatafl_rules.php

Short overview:

Objective

The attackers lay siege, their goal, to capture the king. The defenders must break the siege and get their king to safety.

1.   Two players, the king's side vs attackers. There are twice as many attackers as defenders.
    
2.   The attackers' side moves first, the players then take turns.

3.   All pieces move any number of vacant squares along a row or a column, like a rook in chess.

4. Capture

All pieces except the king are captured if sandwiched between two enemy pieces, or between an enemy piece and a restricted square. The two enemy pieces should be on the square above and below or on the squares left and right of the attacked piece, i.e. not diagonally.

A piece is only captured if the trap is closed by the aggressor's move, it is therefore permitted to move in between two enemy pieces. The king may take part in captures.
 

5a. Restricted squares

Restricted squares may only be occupied by the king. The central restricted square is called the throne. It is allowed for the king to re-enter the throne, and all pieces may pass through the throne when it is empty.

Restricted squares are hostile, which means they can replace one of the two pieces taking part in a capture. The throne is always hostile to the attackers, but only hostile to the defenders when it is empty.
The board edge is NOT hostile.

6a. King's side win

If the king reaches the edge the king has escaped and his side wins.
 

6b.   
If the king reaches any corner square, the king has escaped and his side wins.
 

7a. Attackers win

The attackers win if they can capture the king.

The king is captured like all other pieces, except when he is on or next to the throne.

On the throne, the attackers must surround him on all four cardinal points.

If on a square next to the throne, the attackers must occupy the three remaining squares around him.
 

7b.   If the attackers surround the king and ALL remaining defenders, then they win, as they have prevented the king from escaping.

The attackers win by encircling all defenders.

8. Perpetual repetitions

Perpetual repetitions are forbidden.
Any perpetual repetition results in a loss for defenders.

9.   If a player cannot move, he loses the game.

10.   If it is not possible to end the game, fx. because both sides have too few pieces left, it is a draw.